Sharp LC-52D85U 52" LCD TV

After purchasing a 32" Sharp Aquos (See Review on 32D40U Series)  for our Bedroom a couple of years ago and being satisfied with the overall performance and picture of this TV I knew that I would be considering Sharp once again when it came time to upgrade our Family Room TV.

For a while I had been considering a 42 or 46" model for our room but as the pricing had started to come down on these units I began considering a 52" HDTV. After several months of searching, I had decided on the Sharp Limited series SE94U series. I was just waiting for the cost to come within my budget range. A friend of mine in the TV business had been keeping a watch our for a special purchase for me. Then one day he called to inform me that Sharp had introduced a new line with the LC-52D85U Series coming out in September or October of last year. My research had shown that although this was not as high an end TV as the 94 series there were many features that I had considered a must in my overall purchase, the first being a 120hz refresh rate along with the 4ms response time. When it arrived in my friends showroom I went down to look at the new Aquos. The nice thing about his store is that he has a living room type setting and it is not overwhelmed with HDTV's. He has the models lined up in sequence by size in order so that you can properly gauge each viewing experience. I had the ability to sit and watch entire programs in comfort and to adjust settings to my liking. After some consideration, I decided to go ahead and purchase the newer LC-52D85U Series TV. The reason for the final purchase decision boiled right down to an incredible viewing experience. The picture on this TV is just stunning. Sharp has been one of the pioneers in LCD technology for about two decades now and it is apparent that the research and development over the years shows in the overall picture quality.

Features I Like:
Display Screen:  This TV has a 10 bit panel with advanced Super View Black TFT Display which results in a near lifelike picture in HD. The black levels are excellent on this TV.  This Display has a Matte like finish appearance with no light reflection detectable. The light produced from a flashlight when pointed at the display almost seemed to absorb the light. This has to be one of the best displays I have seen so far.

Inputs: The D85U series has a total of 5 (Version 1.3 Deep Color) HDMI Inputs with one located on the side of the TV. A VGA Computer input with 3.5mm audio input. 1 Composite and 2 HD 1080p Component Inputs.

OPC Setting: This TV has automatic Back light levels that can be set to range preferences and when engaged will adjust to room lighting conditions.

Fine Motion Enhanced: This Aquos has  120hz processing for a more refined picture from fast moving images such as in sporting events. Along with the 4m response this TV has a very crisp like look when viewing high action programs.

The frame of this TV has a high gloss black finish with an aluminum type angled beveled trim. The aluminum finish seems to absorb the color of the surroundings giving it a blended look. When compared to my 32" Aquos, the frame on this set is much narrower coming in at just over an inch or so around the border.

The Standard Contrast Range is 2000:1 with a Dynamic Ratio of 10,000 :1. In the Dynamic setting

Finally, the advanced settings on this TV offer a wide selection of adjustments such a Color Temp, Hue and Saturation to name just a few. There are up to 6 types of AV Modes beginning with Standard view. User and right on up to Dynamic Range. Once you have set to your liking the overall settings are kept in memory for each AV Mode Selection.

Other Features:

Sharp claims that the Lamp Life of the TV is 60,000 hours with about a 50 % decrease in power output. 

Whether over the air signals, Cable, Satellite or HD this TV has the tuners built in necessary for both Analog and Digital access. 

Sharp claims that with their power saving feature that there is a 20% reduction in power output and I have been able to verify this as my TV is hooked into an APC H15 Power Conditioner that provides you with output levels of your component sources. There are 2 power saving modes the first is Standard and the Second is Advanced. In the Advanced Mode the OPC setting is engaged automatically for optimum energy level savings. This models also qualifies as an Energy Star Rated Appliance. 

Overall Impressions:
My Sharp provides an outstanding picture in HD. Whether it is watching concerts on the PLDIA Network, Planet Earth on Discovery Channel or  Enterprise on HD Net this HDTV delivers a very detailed picture. I have found that a nice set of calibrations for can be found at the following website: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=11852269#post11852269  The postings from Tiger Dave although for th D64U Series seems to produce a very fine picture for the 85 series of the Aquos as well.

The Standard Definition Broadcasts are acceptable when viewed through either the component cable or in this case HDMI input via our Dish 722 HD Receiver. I have had this hooked up to cable and the picture quality via this method is sub quality.  In SD, the Dish receiver provides a soft like picture appearance as the TV is starving for more information to fill in the lines of resolutoin. A number of channels are now broadcasting both HD and SD format and when given the choice I select HD every time.

When watching sporting events, it is as if you are at the game/event itself. The detail quality is so fine that you can literally see the individual blades of grass in a ball game or such detail on the face of a ballplayer that you can almost count the whiskers on his face. It is that good. When watching these events I tend to use the recommended Dynamic Display as it adds to the overall viewing experience. 

Computer Use: At first I was uncertain about using with my laptop connection, but I have found the large display to be very easy on the eyes and the computer display is identical as to the overall look on the HDTV. We also have the audio hooked up as well and occasionally watch TV shows through th HULU website. It offers a wide variety of programming from today's shows to those classics such as Barney Miller.

DVD: I have a progressive Scan DVD Player and the picture quality is very good indeed. When watching movies it is almost as if you are at the Theatre itself. In fact in many ways it can be better as you seem to be immersed in the movie because of the not only the picture quality, but also the screen size. At a viewing distance of about 10 ft. when watching a Concert DVD you almost feel as though you are in the audience. It is that good.

While I don't yet have blu ray, I have personally had a chance to experience the picture as a family member has one hooked up to his 65" Aquos. The picture detail is so realistic and detailed in full 1080p. I am hoping to add one to my hometheatre sometime down the road.

Conclusion:
I have been very happy with this purchase overall. This Sharp Aquos offers much in the way on not only quality but value as to features and at a cost that is considerably less than some of the other brand name models out there. I have seen consistent savings of at least $500 over the other major brands. This HDTV is a genuine pleasure to watch and is worth the every penny invested.

Update: January 18, 2011

I have now owned this TV for over 2 years and have not had one issue with it. The Picture absolutely continues to impress and I have performed a firmware update that was available at Sharp's Website. The download was simple to the USB Drive and from there the transfer to the TV was easily done through a Menu Option on the Aquos.

I have since added the Sharp BD-HP22U Blu-ray player which links with the Aquos TV via HDMI providing the optimum picture settings for the TV and Player. Once a the player is turned on it will Link up with the Aquos automatically turning on the set and switching to the assigned input. You do have to set up the "Aquos Link" between the Blu-Ray Player and the TV in order for it to perform the features above. Additionally, I recommend checking Sharp's Website periodically for Firmware updates for the Player. There have been two updates available in the past year one for the introduction of Avatar and the other which  was released when Iron Man 2 came out. 

For Movie viewing I have found another website specific to the Sharp LC-52D85U. The Link is as follows:  http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10081148-1.html

The Settings for the Movie Mode assume a completely Dark room when viewing the Movie. I have set these settings up under my "User" Mode and will be giving this a try over the next few weeks when viewing Blu-Ray Discs. I have used BluRay.Com to reference off of stills of movies such as Iron Man 2 to replicate the same image quality on my Aquos Set. The one thing I notice is that these settings are initially darker in nature, but once viewed in it's intended environment the picture takes on a much more natural movie type setting with black levels actually standing out more. I also found the picture was easier on the eyes when viewing movies and for me a nicer overall experience. My wife was at first kind of negative on it because she was used to our original movie settings, but now after a few movies she admits that it does seem better to her. I would say that in a daylight or well lit setting I would keep the original settings we have for viewing which are equal to the "Standard" View Settings from the AVS forum in my original review.

Finally, I have added and APC-15 Power Conditioner to the Home Entertainment Center which acts not only as a Surge Protector for my system, but provides a very clean looking picture as it pretty much eliminates video noise and also clean up the audio. I have had a few instances where we had a succesion of power outages or spikes and in each instance the APC performed as advertised in protecting my Aquos as well a couple of game sytems and and Home Theatre System as well as our Dish DVR. This is one of the better investments in protection that I have made.

So all in all, I am very pleased with my investment in the Sharp Aquos and the Blu-Ray player. They have both performed flawlessly and provides exceptional picture quality and at a savings at hundreds less than the competitors.